International Business (BIB)

Cut off Range

Explore International Business (BIB) at Carleton University

Program Summary

The Sprott School of Business offers a Bachelor of International Business which is recognized as a leading program in international business education. With a focus on international business, you will develop cross-cultural skills, become proficient in another language and study abroad for a year in a country where that language is spoken.

The Bachelor of International Business delivers a unique business education that is truly international.

Business is personal at Sprott. Here you’ll belong to a spirited and connected student community that offers endless opportunities to explore your interests and build your personal and professional networks, while gaining valuable skills and experiences that help you stand out to employers.

Award-winning faculty who have been recognized for teaching and research excellence.

Research-intensive culture brings latest business knowledge directly to the classroom

International focus

Unique experiences that expose students to a variety of cultures and business practices.

International business programs offered at undergraduate, master’s and PhD levels.

Study abroad opportunities for all business undergraduates.

Sprott students participate in and win international case competitions.

The Sprott MBA is delivered in Canada, China and Colombia.

International faculty.

Sprott Business Career Management Centre

Sprott’s naturally-recognized Business Career Management Centre offers a full-range of tailored services exclusively to Sprott students. These include:

mySprott web portal for business-specific job postings and career resources;

Industry career panels and employer events;

Alumni networking opportunities;

Tickets to business networking events, such as the Mayor’s Breakfast Series;

Special workshops to help you stand out to employers, such as business fashion and social media networking;

One-on-one career advising, resume review and interview preparation; and

Access to CareerLeader, a self-assessment tool that matches your interests and skills to career paths, and is used by top business schools worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and INSEAD.

Sprott Student Investment Fund

Students who dream of careers on Bay Street and Wall Street have the ultimate opportunity to gain real money-management experience and learn investment strategies through the Sprott Student Investment Fund (SSIF).

Managed by a team of top finance students, SSIF is an investment portfolio valued at over $1 million. All members of the fund contribute to the analysis process, helping to assemble the ideal portfolio that prudently grows the fund’s capital.

SSIF alumni have gone on to top graduate programs and careers in investment banking and financial services at such organizations as Bank of Canada, Brookfield Asset Management, CIBC Asset Management, and RBC Capital Markets.

Sprott Competes

Sprott students consistently earn top place finishes at national and international business case competitions, proving they are among the best in the world.

In case competitions, teams must apply the knowledge gained through all of their courses to prepare and present a solution to a real-life business problem, in just a few hours.

Through Sprott Competes, our case training program, students develop skills that are highly valued by employers such as integrative thinking, decision making, communication, public speaking, teamwork, and the ability to work under pressure. Students are exposed to a variety of real business scenarios and feedback from industry professionals, giving them a real-world perspective that is typically only gained through on the-job experience.

Student life

Sprott students are known for their passion and entrepreneurial spirit. There are 12 student-run organizations at Sprott that offer students opportunities to make new friends, build leadership skills and network with industry professionals while exploring their interests. All Sprott undergraduates belong to the Sprott Business Students’ Society (SBSS). SBSS organizes a number of events throughout the year, including the annual Business Banquet, 5 Days for the Homeless, case competitions, sports tournaments and social events.

At Carleton, we have the distinct advantage of being situated in Canada’s Capital, Ottawa. Our location offers unique opportunities for students and a complementary blend of city life and nature, culture and heritage, business and government.

For students, Ottawa offers employment and co-operative education opportunities in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Students have many opportunities throughout the year to network with industry experts, who often take part in courses as guest speakers and presentation judges.

Known as the seat of Canada’s federal government, Ottawa offers an unparalleled international network of government departments, international agencies, global companies and an extensive diplomatic community.

Ottawa is home to a global technology hub of over 1,900 companies, ranging from multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises. Ottawa boasts a vibrant entrepreneurial culture.

Ottawa offers the best of both worlds—the benefits of a big city with the comforts and safety of a small town. Ottawa was ranked the best place to live in Canada by MoneySense magazine. It ranks third in North America and 19th in the world in Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey.

As the nation’s capital, Ottawa hosts many visiting dignitaries, major sporting events and festivals, including Winterlude, Bluesfest and Canada Day. Here you will find national museums and historic sites, as well as the Ottawa Senators hockey team, and former Grey Cup champions – the Ottawa Redblacks!

Ottawa is one of the world’s most picturesque capitals with many parks, green spaces and waterways. Winter activities include skiing, snowboarding and ice skating along the Rideau Canal, the world’s longest skating rink. In warmer months, Ottawans enjoy cycling, golf, white water rafting, ziplining and more. Just minutes from downtown lies Gatineau Park, 361 square kilometers of forest, lakes, beaches, nature trails, and stunning lookouts.

Carleton’s campus is situated a short ride from Parliament Hill and Ottawa’s downtown core. Our self-contained campus is bordered by the Rideau Canal, Rideau River and a quiet residential neighbourhood. The campus is well serviced by public transportation, with several bus routes and light rail stop on campus.

The Bachelor of International Business (BIB) delivers a truly international business education. It focuses on five key elements:

Intensive training in one of five offered languages (Years 1 & 2)

A full academic year abroad to enhance language fluency and cultural knowledge (Year 3);

Core courses in business fundamentals;

Specialized courses in international business and management; and

The option to choose from three concentrations for further specialization

Concentrations:

Global financial management and systems

International marketing and trade

International strategy and human resources management

More information on the concentrations can be found below.

You may also complete the BIB without a concentration.

International Opportunities

In today’s global business environment, international experience is a standout item on your resumé. Studying abroad offers students a transformative opportunity to be immersed in another culture and region of the world. Students developcross-cultural skills and a global perspective.

Study abroad is open to all Sprott undergraduates. Through Carleton’s exchange agreements, students pay Carleton tuition and receive transfer of credit for successfully completed courses.

All Bachelor of International Business students must study abroad for a full academic year at one of 40+ partner institutions in 13 countries. In addition to study abroad, Sprott students have many opportunities to gain international experiences, including taking part in international case competitions, global leadership programs, and international study tours.

Language requirements (other than English)

In years one and two, BIB students are required to take language courses in one of: French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, or Spanish.

Where can your Bachelor of International Business lead you? Here is just a sampling of career paths you can pursue with your degree. (Further education may be required.)

business analysis

business development

foreign affairs

imports/exports

international finance

international human resources

international marketing

international trade

regulatory affairs

tourism

Graduate school

Many BIB alumni have gone on to graduate programs in Business, Finance, International Affairs, Law, International Development, Communications and more. The Sprott School offers an accelerated MBA for business graduates, allowing them to complete the Sprott MBA in just 12 months and includes an internship.